North Korea is preparing to launch a new ballistic missile by end of the year 2411122

Posted On
Saturday, 24 November 2012 12:52

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Defense News - North Korea

Saturday, November
24, 2012, 06:51 PM

North
Korea is preparing to launch a new ballistic missile by end of the year.

North
Korea is preparing to launch a new ballistic missile the Japanese Kyodo
news agency reported Friday, quoting Japanese government sources. "Given
their size and shape, the components transferred by train from an ammunition
factory near Pyongyang appear to be for a three-stage rocket," Kyodo
quoted sources in the Japanese secret services as saying.

On 15 April 2012, during a military parade commemorating the 100th anniversary
of Kim Il Sung’s birth, North Korea unveils a new ballistic missile.

The
components are being transferred by train to the Tongchang-ri site in
North Pyongan province, ITAR-Tass reported.

The missile, believed similar to one launched from Tongchang-ri in April
2012, may be launched by the end of the year, Japanese experts said.

"While no missile is set on a launch pad yet, there are activities
likely to be related to rocket fueling," the Kyodo agency reported,
citing information from a U.S. surveillance satellite.

The April launch was a failure as the Unha-3 carrier disintegrated moments
after it was launched.

Resolution 1874 of the U.N. Security Council prohibits North Korea from
ballistic missile activity and the April launch attempt brought international
condemnation.